Save Thousands on Your Kitchen Renovation
July 23rd, 2009 | Published in kitchen, remodeling, renovating | 12 Comments
by Dennis Bryant
3 Contractor Secrets to Save Thousands on Your Kitchen Renovation
Prefinished granite counter tops. Granite counter tops and backsplashes look great. They are also traditionally some of the most expensive items in a new kitchen. Prefinished granite slabs are polished and cut to standard sizes before they are imported, which lowers costs significantly. The rule for granite: custom edge cutting costs money. Plan your design around the standard sizes and you can save hundreds, sometimes thousands and still get the counter top of your dreams.
Slate: Natural beauty, reasonable price. A slate floor is a great way to give any project a natural, refined look without blowing the budget. With new slate producing regions exporting more and more product to the North American market, the price of slate has dropped considerably. Tiles that once cost $12/SQF now cost $3-4. While slate comes in a wide variety of colors, the best savings are on the grays, blacks and rusty browns coming out of Asia.
Don’t move the sink! Try to work around the existing services layout. Moving plumbing, electrical, gas and duct work (think range hood) are all expensive design choices. Relocating the sink and the dishwasher will cost you the most. Even small moves of a few feet will often cost hundreds of dollars. The same is true for walls-if you are sticking to a tight budget, change the finishes and fixtures, but try to stay away from big changes to the structure of the space.
See Bryant’s amazing work, showcased on the Home Renovation Guide:
About Bryant Renovations
With over 25 years of experience, Dennis Bryant has become one of Toronto’s leading renovators. Dennis Bryant’s approach is to achieve a comfort level for the client and a co-operative relationship between the team at all stages of the project, creating a positive building experience. Our top quality designers, foremen and licensed sub trades are long term associates who have provided professional service for years and who value their reputations as much as we do ours. Photos courtesy of Bryant Renovations
July 24th, 2009 at 10:36 pm (#)
Nice tips here. I just want to share something regarding granite counter tops. If you are up to it, you can buy “thinner” granite slabs that can save you some money. You just need to put a panel board for added support.
if you are really on a tight budget, you can try using granite tiles. Granite tiles are way cheaper than huge granite slabs; just use dark grout to achieve the look of the original.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:56 pm (#)
Good post….great idea on how to make your kitchen look like its worth a lot without actually spending a ton of money.
September 28th, 2009 at 12:46 am (#)
When remodeling your kitchen, always remember that a well-designed kitchen is one that is tailored to the reach and breadth of the appointed chef of the home.
December 30th, 2009 at 2:07 am (#)
Fabulous tips! Especially “don’t move the kitchen sink”! It’s definitely a budget drainer and 9.99 times out of 10, you create your perfect kitchen around it.
We had a client that wanted to move hers just a few inches, we convinced her to let us work around it and once completed, she was amazed at how we gave her her dream kitchen without moving some of things she originally planned to move – and saved her a bundle of money by designing around existing things like the sink.
The prefinished granite tops are one of my favs, you can do so much with it.
January 1st, 2010 at 4:27 am (#)
Bryant, thank you the tips.
I am making a plan for making changes into my kitchen and I have considered prefinished granite tops but I don’t have exact idea about their cost. In fact I thought they cost very high. But now I have some idea about it.
Also, I agree with you that while making changes into kitchen it’s not great idea to move wash basin or any electrical points as this will take more time and it will increase cost. I faced this situation when last time I made great changes into my kitchen.
Thanks
September 13th, 2010 at 7:56 am (#)
I found your article and checked out the cabinet company. This was good advice for a new home owner. thanks for your help.
October 4th, 2010 at 5:18 am (#)
I’m also considering kitchen renovations. Do-it-yourself is cool. It would make it more like adding a personal touch to your kitchen.
November 30th, 2010 at 1:06 am (#)
I must say these are some awesome useful tips for kitchen renovation. These way one can really save lot of money spending on kitchen renovation. Thank you for such a useful post with lot of tips.
January 22nd, 2011 at 8:05 am (#)
Hi. Great tips! Thank you. I’m in the middle of nervous breakdown with my kitchen remodelling.
March 29th, 2011 at 12:01 am (#)
If your in Australia, we have an online price estimator for granite, marble and limestone benchtops cut to your preferred dimensions.
April 27th, 2011 at 11:01 pm (#)
It is a great post
April 27th, 2011 at 11:16 pm (#)
it is wonderful post